twinscowboysbulls

Sounds like they are all-in on Torii Hunter, my favorite Twin of all-time... Even I wouldn't be going after him though. If Gardy were still here, he'd think he could still man CF. It would be an odd fit, because his Defense isn't really any good in LF/RF either. LF Hunter CF Santana(as of now) RF Arcia Still bad defense, better stick in LF at least though.

Congrats Molitor! I can't wait to watch him turn things around in a couple years time.

Hicks is down to a .237 average now. I can't find all his numbers, but I check most of his box scores and i would say he has twice as many walks as k's.

HEY! ONLY ON DEFENSE ON GLOVE HAND! THOSE ARE THE ONLY PLACES YOU CAN GET INJURED WHILE PLAYING DEFENSE!

Now 14

Burton was a great scrap heap find that we tried to drag out too long. Best of luck to Burton.

Seems like a perfect transition? 5 year deal and take over for Terry after he wins back to back Chamlionships...

I think it would be a mistake to sign an average/rebound type pitcher this year. I think we have to trade Nolasco to be able to add any pitchers. I think Berrios is closer than we think and Meyer and May both deserve chances, especially during the rebuild. Milone is a decent 5th starter option IMO, plus we unfortunately have this other problem known as Pelfrey that we don't know how the new Manager is going to handle.

Pelfrey absolutely has to be in the bullpen or cut.

Hicks 2-4 yesterday (2 singles) avg at .400 so far.

Yes, a DH in RF. We can only have so many players at DH.... Vargas, Pinto, Mauer, Arcia...see what I'm saying? He has to hit RF if Vargas or Pinto can be legit DH guys.

I think signing a Shortstop would likely end up an okay idea, but I'm not for it necessarily. The way I see next year lining up looks like this. Starting Rotation: 1) Phil Hughes (8 million) 2) Ricky Nolasco (12.5 million) 3) Kyle Gibson (>1mil) 4) Tommy Milone (3 million*) 5) Alex Meyer or Trevor May Rotation: CL) Glen Perkins (4.65 million) SU) Casey Fien (*arb*) LH) Brian Duensing (*arb*) RP) Mike Pelfrey (6 million) LH) Caleb Thielbar (>1million) RH) Michael Tonkin (>1million) RP) Lester Oliveros (rookie min) Lineup: CF: Danny Santana (rookie min) 2B: Brian Dozier (new contract) 1B: Joe Mauer (23 million) LF: FREE AGENT MASHER 3B: Trevor Plouffe (*arb*) DH: Josmil Pinto (rookie min) RF: Oswaldo Arcia (>1 million) C: Kurt Suzuki (6 million) SS: Eduardo Escobar (*arb*) Bench: OF: Aaron Hicks (plays CF when Santana plays SS, mostly against LHP, backs up LF/RF) IF: Eduardo Nunez IF/OF: Chriss Parmelee 1B/DH: Kennys Vargas (splits time at DH with Pinto and DH when Pinto catches 60 games) AAA Depth: Pitchers: May or Meyer in the wings or both if you sign a stud SP. Burdi waiting to take Pelfrey's spot when he is awful. IF: Sano will be ready to take over for Plouffe at some point. Plouffe will then take over as a UT guy and you can ditch Schaefer as Plouffe will be able to back up corner OF spots. OF: Buxton, Rosario would both be ready at some point if needed. I'm all for the Twins trying to sign a big corner OF bat and a stud SP. Any other money spent will probably be a waste because it will eventually eat into good young player's time. I guess SS would be a decent insurance policy in case they need Santana in CF full-time and Escobar tanks.

Does this mean we are going to have to wait ANOTHER two years to see the 'enhanced' Pelfrey coming off of TJS?!?

I've hated the way Kubel has played lately, but love the player. He is a great pro. I hope he really has had an impact on the approach in the locker room To help facilitate this near .500 start. Who goes down when Fuld is ready? Hicks? Parmelee?

It's awesome that they are better than last year, don't get me wrong. Unfortunately, the help we were all hoping for, isn't on the way. (Pitching Yes, Offense No) Buxton riddled with injuries looks like this year could end up being a lost year, which is really, really depressing. Sano is guaranteed to have lost a year. He may DH in AA in August, but that seems far-fetched and could've already been a ditched idea, someone else may know. Also, Plouffe has somewhat locked down 3B and looked like a veteran, which is going to make Gardy somewhat hesitant to hand that job over quickly. Rosario really funked things up for himself. I think we would all agree he could've at the very least had a cup of coffee playing OF in Minnesota already this season. To top things off for him, Dozier has locked down 2B, Polanco has been very good, so good chance Rosario switches back to OF (not a big deal to us in the grand scheme of things, but perhaps Rosario wanted to play IF and he would've had more value there) On the bright side: Meyer is ready to roll whenever we let him. May is ready to roll whenever he gets the call. I realize this probably belongs on MiLB portion after writing it.

On a roster filled with question marks, only a few positions have none. Catcher: Kurt Suzuki and Josmil Pinto have a strong hold to their jobs and it appears have the position locked down. (Twins may want to consider extending Suzuki, as it appears Pinto may not be ready to take over full-time as a catcher after this season) 1st Base: Injuries aside, Mauer has done a fine job and to be frank, nothing is happening here unless he has some serious injuries. Back-up 1B isn't an issue either. 2nd Base: I think we are all happy to say that Dozier has settled any debate here. (Time to lock him up, don't you agree?) 3rd Base: Although it's temporary, Plouffe has done a good enough job that we don't really need to worry about it right now. Sano will be coming soon enough and Plouffe has versatility in his background, so it's not an issue. Hope he keeps hitting doubles and fewer meaningless 9th inning homeruns. --Question Marks-- Who is going to step up at these spots? OF: Let's just be honest, our OF is a cluster**** Hicks refuses to hit, he needs more refinement. Fuld has been solid, but his track record shows it's a myth and he is hurt. Arcia is healthy but not ready apparently? Willingham is hurt, not ready, but will probably be up soon? Parmelee isn't much of an OF and isn't much of a hitter, but hit cleanup last night and showed why he shouldn't. Santana is intriguing in CF, his bat has been nice, but probably isn't sustainable and if he is going to be a CF will need some time in AAA at the position. Colabello is who we thought he was. Pitchers adjust, and he hasn't in the OF. Kubel has had an incredible stretch, incredibly bad. He is showing why he got sent packing. Nunez: This guy plays OF? I'm really curious why we aren't bringing Arcia up right away considering he might be the only OF that is part of this team's future. SS: Escobar is actually playing really well. Another guy that you say "It probably isn't sustainable." Has done his part though to own that job. Santana has done a nice job too. If Escobar falls off soon, it'd be nice to give the job to Santana for 10-15 days to see what he can do. Sink or Swim at SS. If he can't, I woudn't mind seeing him go to AAA at CF, back-up SS and 2B. CF could be a weakness for longer than planned if Buxton keeps getting hurt and Hicks can't be average. Florimon will only see the light of day in Minnesota if there are injuries or a September call-up. Nunez doesn't seem to be a part of any solution as this team's SS.

Are we still the #2 Offense, or have we went to like #15 offense and bumped our pitching from #29 to #26?

HEY! THOSE GUYS ARE ALMOST HEALTHY NOW! I don't appreciate the antagonizing! Just wait until we knock off Cy-Lander and have a chance to tie or take the lead in the top of the 9th!

I like your stuff Nick, but this is probably the most spot on thing you have ever written. Checkmate, Twins FO.

Thank the lord we got Matt Guerrier.

Really no reason for him to move up past Fort Myers. Like stated, innings limit likely. Also, it's pretty understandable for his K rate to climb the more he pitches. The guy is really going to be developing for about the 1st year. Don't forget, he didn't exclusively play baseball until about 10 months ago. Pretty excited to watch this guy come through the system. It would be nice if he could get to AA at some point next season, setting up a potential call-up by the time some of our FA signings this off-season are coming to a close on that contract.

RANT WARNING: After last night's game, how can the Twins even consider getting Guerrier up to the show the most important roster move right now??? I'll go out on a limb here and say Guerrier will put up worse numbers than Burton who I also want canned. Gardy said "He has really worked hard to get back here." Who gives a damn? A lot of other players are working really hard too. Why don't we call them all up? Cut the fat from the damn roster already. We don't need 4 catchers on our 40 man roster. We don't need AAAA pitchers and we don't need AAAA UTL guys. Someone go take a look at our active roster. It lists 2, TWO! outfielders. Moves that need to be made: Drop Raley from 40 man. Drop Guerrier from 40 man. Add Parmelee to 40 man and 25 man. Drop Fryer from 40 man. Option Florimon to AAA. Let Santana start for a couple weeks as regular SS, if he stinks, send him down, Nunez should be ready by then. Hicks needs to be ready by tomorrow. Call him up for Florimon. Obviously those 40 man spots can be filled by the guys in them until a time comes. No reason Mastro should've been taken off instead of one of those guys though. Pretty disappointing to watch a front office struggle with the simplest of moves.

I'd throw the dog a bone. Rosario, Hicks, Polanco, Eades and Tonkin. It would suck if Samardzja ever had any injuries though. I'd sign him to the 6 for 100 and then sign Dozier long term.

Come on now, knock that off. He couldn't get those types of practice reps in AAA and everyone knows that. When Molly hits me, they are soooo game-like.

"Swarzaks Stable" Would've been a sign at the metrodome because Gardy said so!